Surviving the Alpha Academy

"No! Father! I can't do this! You can't treat me this way!" My shrill scream nearly

shattered the silence of the Vance Family council hall.

My father, Linus, the Alpha of our pack, his golden wolf eyes bloodshot, spoke in a

hoarse voice, "Aurelia, this is an order. For the Vance Family, and to ensure your

brother Torian's sacrifice wasn't in vain, you must go."

"Torian didn't sacrifice himself! He's only missing!" I retorted, tears blurring my

vision.

My twin brother, the future Alpha heir of the family, had mysteriously disappeared

on the eve of his departure for Wolfden Academy to fulfill an important alliance, his

fate unknown.

"His broken sword and a blood-stained family crest were found at the edge of the

Mist Forest," my mother, Elena, our noble Luna, choked on her words, "No signs of

life, only vague traces leading toward Wolfden."

Wolfden, the sacred ground of Alphas, now seemed more like a fearsome beast with its jaws wide open.

"And so, you want me, a defective who can't even control her wolf form, to replace

a genius Alpha?" I felt an absurdity in their decision, while the wolf spirit within me

growled restlessly. "What about my scent? Did you forget that my scent is so faint,

it's almost undetectable? Those powerful Alphas will easily see through me!"

Yes, I, Aurelia Vance, the daughter of an Alpha and a Luna, possessed pathetically

weak wolfish strength. My presence was a world apart from Torian's blazing Alpha

aura.

"We will hide your scent," the elder's voice was as cold and hard as stone. "Karen

and Jasper will return from the academy to assist you. From now on, you are

Torian Vance. The future of the Vance Family cannot be jeopardized."

"As for Aurelia Vance," my father's voice was like the blow of a cold hammer, "she

has already passed away from illness."

Rage, fear, helplessness... Is this the law of fate? That the individual can be sacrificed for the family's sake?

"And what if I refuse?" I clenched my teeth, my voice trembling as I asked.

A flash of pain flickered in my father Linus's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by

resolute determination. The Alpha's pressure emanated from him, freezing the air

around us. "Aurelia, do not force me to take action."

I understood-I had no choice.

"Fine." I spat out the word with difficulty, "I agree."

But I swore, in the name of the Lunar Deity, no matter who harmed Torian, I would

hunt them down!

Karen and Jasper quickly returned from Wolfden Academy.

Karen, my cousin, a composed and reliable Beta, looked at me with eyes full of

sympathy.

"Stop stalling, my dear cousin!" Jasper, the one who always thrived on chaos,

threw an arm around my shoulder, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now, let's

give our new Young Master Torian a complete makeover!"

Cold scissors severed my golden locks, the soft strands falling to the ground like the

remnants of my princess days.

Jasper, with a skill that made me suspect he had experience shearing alpacas, deftly

trimmed my hair into Torian's sharp, short style. He incessantly reminded me,

"Remember, your gaze must be firm, your steps strong, and don't show any

weakness in front of unfamiliar Alphas!"

I listened impassively.

When I donned Torian's training uniform, brimming with his intense Alpha aura, I

nearly felt suffocated.

The scent of prime Alpha-pine and cold steel-stirred restlessness in my wolf spirit.

Karen handed me a bottle filled with a strong herbal-smelling liquid.

"A special Concealment Agent," he explained softly, worry evident in his tone. "It

can temporarily mask your scent, but its effects are limited, and it shouldn't be

used too frequently."

I took the potion and drank it in a single gulp. A fiery sensation immediately burned

in my throat.

A stranger stared back at me from the mirror. A pale face, defiant eyes, and short

hair clumsily cropped to a ridiculous length. Apart from the sapphire eyes identical

to Torian's, there was almost no trace of Aurelia left.

"From now on, you are Torian Vance." My father Linus's voice came from behind me, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

"Go. Seek the truth, and... return safely."

The carriage awaited silently in the light morning mist.

I-no, "Torian Vance"-under the escort of Karen and Jasper, embarked on an

uncertain journey to Wolfden Academy.

The atmosphere of Wolfden Alpha Academy was a blend of pride, strength, and

ambition, emanating from countless elite Alphas.

At the academy gates, the massive stone doors stood ancient and solemn, as if

leading to another realm.

Several uniformed werewolves stood guard at the entrance. Among them was a

towering, imposing middle-aged man whose sharp eyes resembled those of a hawk.

Instructor Sigurd, a name well-known throughout the academy.

"From the Vance family, Torin Vance reporting," Karen stepped down from the

carriage, her voice steady as she announced the name. At the same time, she slightly shifted her body to shield me from Instructor

Sigurd's initial glance.

I took a deep breath, the herbal scent churning my stomach.

I forced myself to straighten my back and descended from the carriage, my steps

striving to replicate Torin's purposeful strides.

Instructor Sigurd's piercing gaze instantly landed on me, sharp enough to

penetrate my disguise.

"Young Master Vance." His voice was low, carrying an undeniable authority.

He scrutinized me from head to toe, his gaze pausing on my face as he subtly sniffed

the air.

A wave of powerful Alpha Pressure hit me. It wasn't hostile but felt more like a scan

and evaluation.

My body instinctively tensed, my Wolf Spirit trembling under the weight of the

pressure, yearning to submit.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, using the pain as a reminder: You are

Torin!

"You seem... different." Instructor Sigurd finally spoke, his tone calm yet sharp as a

needle piercing the air.

"Exhausted from the long journey," Karen immediately stepped forward, her smile

perfectly measured, "He hardly rested in his rush to arrive."

"Is that so?" Instructor Sigurd's gaze shifted to Karen, a trace of amusement in his

eyes. "The Vance Alpha I know is always brimming with energy."

He didn't seem entirely convinced.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Jasper suddenly rushed forward, waving his arms exaggeratedly. "Oh, Instructor

Sigurd! Your sharp eyes are as impressive as ever! You even noticed the fatigue! Let's hurry inside, my stomach is already grumbling!"

As he spoke, he tried to push his way in, his movements comical and eager.

Instructor Sigurd's lips twitched slightly before his gaze left me. "Go register. Wolfden does not welcome the weak."

"Yes, Instructor."

I responded stiffly, feeling sweat soaking my back.

Following Karen and Jasper towards the academy gates, the stone doors slowly

closed behind us, sealing me entirely into this cage of Alphas.

The registration area was packed with young, powerful Alphas, the air thick with a

competitive aura.

As I kept my head down, trailing behind Karen, trying to minimize my presence, two

voices suddenly emerged from the crowd.

"Torin? Is that you!" A bright and sunny voice rang out.

"Heh, Young Master Vance, so you finally arrived." Another voice, cold and low.

My body stiffened instantly. I looked up.

Standing not far away were two tall figures.

The one on the left had dazzling golden short hair and a radiant smile, exuding a

warm, vibrant pinewood scent.

Ethan Wilder. He approached quickly, his face lighting up with delight.

The one on the right was equally tall, with dark hair and a stern expression. He

radiated a chilling aura of metal and ice, mixed with snowfall.

Silas Knight. He stood with arms crossed, his cold eyes locking onto mine with an intense scrutiny and a faint trace of sarcasm.

Ethan reached me first, his warm pinewood scent enveloping me.

"It really is you, Torin! It's been so long! I heard something happened to you, but

seeing you safe and sound is such a relief!" He reached out, intending to pat my

shoulder with the typical Alpha camaraderie.

I stiffly avoided his hand and forced a smile.

"Ethan, long time no see." My Wolf Spirit let out a yearning growl under the warmth of his aura, making my cheeks flush and my

heart race uncontrollably.

Ethan's hand hesitated, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?" He seemed to sense the tension in my body.

"Fatigue from the journey." Karen immediately stepped forward, positioning herself

in front of me. "Torin isn't feeling well."

At this moment, Silas also approached, his chilling presence closing in like an icy wind, yet carrying a deadly allure.

My Wolf Spirit, caught between the pull of two powerful auras, nearly lost control,

letting out a pained yet longing whimper.

The Dual Mate Bond peaked at this moment, overwhelming me with a dizzying

surge of instinctual response.

"Not feeling well?" Silas repeated, his voice tinged with a palpable scrutiny and

doubt.

"The Torin Vance I know could spend a night on horseback and still be full of energy. Moreover..." He subtly sniffed the air, his sharp gaze piercing into me as though trying to see through my very soul. "Your scent... it seems different as well."

His words struck me like lightning.

The scent! He noticed it! My heartbeat stopped for a moment, my mind going blank.

Silas's icy eyes seemed capable of shattering my disguise, reaching the essence of

Aurelia within. He knew Torin, and he was incredibly perceptive!

"Perhaps you're mistaken, Young Master Knight," Karen's calm voice attempted to diffuse the situation. "Different places naturally

carry different scents."

"Is that so?" Silas ignored Karen, his gaze firmly fixed on me.

The corner of his lips curved slightly, carrying a hint of disdain and challenge.

"Young Master Vance, I heard you set a new record in the power test for freshmen?

I'm quite curious about that. Perhaps we could spar on the training grounds, to see if the rumors are exaggerated or..." He paused,

his mocking gaze intensifying, "...or if the strength of the Vance Alphas has indeed declined."

A challenge! He was testing me with strength! My hands involuntarily clenched into

fists.

Ethan glanced at Silas, then back at me, his face clouded with confusion. "Torin,

what's wrong? You usually love Silas's challenges."

Love? Do I love being exposed?!

My Wolf Spirit writhed restlessly under Silas's pressure and challenge, while Ethan's

confusion and proximity threw it into utter chaos.

The unprecedented pressure blurred the line between my disguise and my truth,

threatening to crumble it entirely.

"Karen, Jasper." I steadied my voice with great effort, speaking in the cold tone

Torin was known for. "Take me to the registration."

I avoided looking at Ethan or Silas, bypassing them directly as I headed for the

registration area.

Karen and Jasper immediately followed. Karen whispered beside me, "Don't look

back!"

Jasper, on the other hand, tried to draw attention with exaggerated gestures.

Behind me, Ethan's concerned call echoed, "Torin!"

And Silas's enigmatic murmur followed, "...Interesting."

I didn't turn back. Every step felt like walking on a razor's edge.

They were destined mates and would be the greatest threat to my disguise."

Leaving the registration office, I followed Karen and Jasper through the academy's ancient corridors.

The imposing aura of the Alphas was everywhere. I tried hard to straighten my back, imitating Torian's gait, but my legs remained

stiff. Silas's words, "Your scent... seems a bit off," stabbed at my heart like a needle, lingering and refusing to fade.

"Alright, this is the dormitory area," Karen stopped in front of a stone building, lowering his voice. "Third floor, Room 307."

Walking into the dormitory, the air was thick with mixed Alpha scents. It was slightly milder than outside, but still made the wolf

spirit within me uncomfortable.

I climbed to the third floor and found Room 307.

Sweat beaded on my palms. My disguise was about to face its first direct challenge in this most private of places.

Karen unlocked the door with a key. The room was a double. Thankfully, there was

only one roommate.

He was sitting at the desk reading a book. When he heard the door, he looked up,

revealing a face with a gentle smile.

"Hey, new roommate? I'm Ryan," he greeted kindly, his eyes as warm as autumn

leaves.

My heart jumped into my throat.

A roommate! What about showering? Changing clothes? Even going to the

bathroom... These basic physiological needs had turned into a deadly crisis for my

disguise in this boys' school!

I worked hard to maintain a composed expression, my throat tight, and I could only

nod stiffly.

"Hello." Karen answered for me, stepping forward to block me from view. "This is

Torian Vance. He just arrived and is a bit tired."

"Vance? Torian from the Vance family?" A trace of surprise flashed in Ryan's eyes,

but he quickly returned to his friendly demeanor. "Nice to meet you as a roommate. I've heard your name before."

"Thank you." I squeezed out a smile that was more like a grimace. He had heard of

my name? Then he surely knew what the real Torian was like.

"Alright, get settled in. I have some academy matters to discuss with you," Karen

said to me while nodding at Ryan, then pulled me into the room. Jasper followed us

in.

Karen shut the door behind us. His eyes quickly scanned the room before he walked to the window, pulled the curtains shut, and

turned to me with a serious expression.

"Ryan seems friendly," Karen said in a low voice, "but don't let your guard down.

Always pay attention to your disguise. Especially... when showering and changing

clothes. I've spoken to dorm management to try and arrange solo times for you to

use the public bathroom, but it's not guaranteed and the time is limited."

Solo bathroom times! Karen's efficiency brought me some relief, but the weight of

anxiety immediately followed-because even alone, I would still have to face the

truth of my disguise.

"The odor neutralizer's effectiveness diminishes with sweat and steam, especially

during showers," Karen said as he pulled a small, sealed bag from his pocket

containing darker, more potent concealment agent crystals. "These are stronger, but the side effects are greater. Use them only

when absolutely necessary. Apply them

immediately after showering to prevent scent leakage."

I accepted the sealed bag, its cold surface chilling my fingers.

"And then there are the academy's rules," Karen walked over to the desk, opened up an academy map, and pointed as he spoke. "The main building houses the

classrooms and dining hall. The training grounds are to the south. The library is in the east tower, which might have clues about

Torian's disappearance, but it's heavily

regulated. The west tower is off-limits. You mustn't go near it-it's heavily guarded

and has a special perception barrier."

"Special perception barrier?" I asked, looking toward the west tower, my heart

racing. What could it perceive?

"I don't know the specifics," Karen shook his head. "It's very dangerous, in any case. Also, the academy has a strict ranking

system. At the end of each quarter, The

Bottom 10% at Season's End are culled. You need to improve your strength as fast as possible."

Final term culling! My wolf spirit stirred uneasily under the pressure. Strength-this was my biggest weakness.

"And then there's Ethan and Silas," Karen continued, his tone becoming grave as his eyes met mine. "They both know Torian

and are top-tier Alphas with incredibly sharp senses. Ethan seems friendly, but he's curious about your changes. His concern is

warm, but it could also lead you to reveal flaws. Silas... he's extremely dangerous. His suspicion is direct, and he may have caught

a whiff of your unusual scent. He won't let it go easily."

"What should we do then?" Jasper interjected, concern appearing on his face.

"We can't just avoid them forever, especially Silas. He's bound to cause trouble."

"There's no avoiding it; you'll have to confront it," Karen said. "Disguise, acting, and

the concealment agent. When necessary, Jasper and I will provide cover. Jasper,

keep using your social skills to divert attention and create distractions."

"Got it!" Jasper said, thumping his chest. "I'm great at stirring the pot!"

"Don't stir it too much or it'll backfire," Karen snapped at him, then turned his focus back to me. "Remember-never let your guard down. Don't let anyone see you

when you're alone, and don't let your scent leak. If anything unusual happens, get

away immediately or signal for help. Jasper and I will come as quickly as we can."

He placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "This is all we can do. The rest is up to you to handle."

My heart sank. Yes, this was all they could do.

In Wolfden, I'd ultimately have to face all crises alone.

The weight of the disguise, the dangers of investigation, the threats of enemies, and the scrutiny and allure from the two Alphas...

Karen and Jasper soon left the dormitory, offering an excuse to leave. Before

departing, Karen gave me a worried glance while Jasper winked and made a

thumbs-up gesture.

The room was now quiet, with only Ryan and me remaining.

Ryan was still at his desk, reading, as though the earlier conversation hadn't occurred.

I sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath. The strong scent of the

concealment agent hung in the air, reminding me of my identity at this moment.

Every inch of air in Wolfden was filled with challenges. This was the world of Alphas, and I, a disguised woman, had to survive here,

find my brother, and uncover the truth.

Within me, my wolf spirit let out a low, rumbling growl-not of fear, but of surging determination.